Cape Town - The quiet town of Vanrhynsdorp is reeling, claiming police have failed to arrest a 44-year-old man who volunteers at the local library and ECD centres, after a case of sexual assault was opened by one of his alleged victims, a 3-year-old boy.
The man may not be identified as he has not been formally charged and is related to the victim.
Johanna Filander, chairperson of the Matzikama Farmworkers/Dwellers Forum, said they were alarmed that police had not made an arrest following the complaint being lodged a month ago.
Filander said they believed there were more victims, including a disabled person, but that additional cases were not opened.
“We do not feel comfortable having him here because there are many children in this community,” she said.
“We do not want our children to play in the park as he lives close to it and he is helping out at the library and at a crèche.”
The victim’s foster mother, who also cannot be identified, said the child has been in her care since he was a baby and that he opened up to her about the alleged attack on December 8.
The victim had allegedly been visiting his male relative and was reportedly sexually assaulted inside the man’s house.
“The child came back home after twenty minutes and he always visits there as it is his relative and we trusted him,” she said.
“I noticed that his shirt was out of his pants and asked if he had peed at the uncle’s home and that was when he told me what had happened.
“I am upset that he has not been arrested because he lives quite close to us and how do I stop my child from talking to him.
“We fear that he has done this to more children.”
She said she immediately opened a case with police and that the child had been examined medically, with her statement, including that of the alleged perpetrator, taken by police.
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said they were waiting feedback from the relevant police station on the matter.